The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and podcaster Art of the Score came together for two fantastic nights to celebrate a selection of works from award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, a man director Christopher Nolan describes as ‘a minimalist composer with a maximalist production sense’.
Hosted by Art of the Score podcasters Andrew Pogson and Dan Golding, The Music of Hans Zimmer was part concert and part theoretical discussion, which took audiences on a musical journey through blockbusters such as The Lion King, Interstellar, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Dark Knight.Â
Throughout the show, Pogson and Golding drew on their extensive musical expertise and intimate knowledge of Zimmer’s career and life to educate the audience about the music they were hearing and to paint a picture of a man whose unique approach to music has cemented his place as one of the most sought after composers in Hollywood.
The podcasters’ passion for music shone through in the way they deconstructed the musical pieces, enthusiastically exploring the underlying themes and hidden references within each work, such as Zimmer’s use of church organs to reference religion in The Da Vinci Code.
The playful banter between Pogson and Golding resulted in many intentional (and unintentional moments) of comic relief, allowing them to create a relaxing, yet informative experience that encouraged the audience to explore their own interpretations of the music and develop an appreciation not just for the melody, but for the deeper meanings within.
The talented orchestra, conducted by Art of the Score host Nicholas Buc brought to life memorable pieces from Disney films, war epics, romantic comedies and superhero franchises. The vast difference in film genres showcased Zimmer’s depth and capabilities as a composer.Â
Each piece was beautifully complemented by perfectly timed stage lighting that seemed to react to the emotion of the music. Soft hues of blue and yellow shone down on the orchestra during moments of gentle or slow music, while an ominous red tone flooded the stage during dramatic musical moments.
Sweeping lights that spread from the stage to the audience served as a visual representation of the growing intensity of pieces such as ‘Journey to the Line’ from The Thin Red Line; while the evocative music from audience favourite The Lion King brought tears to the eyes, reminding all of the emotional moment Mufasa met his demise.
Orchestral suites from widely regarded films Interstellar and Gladiator were also met with thunderous applause. South Australian soprano Desiree Frahn made a brief but memorable appearance during the show’s closing number, her hauntingly beautiful voice perfectly capturing the emotion of ‘Now We Are Free’ from the Roman epic Gladiator – a stunning conclusion that earned standing ovations from the crowd.
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Whether you are a film aficionado or simply a lover of great music, there was something for audiences young and old in this accessible orchestral experience.
The Music of Hans Zimmer
by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Adelaide Festival Centre
Conductor: Nicholas Buc
Hosted by Andrew Pogson, Dan Golding, Nicholas Buc – The Art of the Score Podcast, produced in association with Concert Lab.
The Music of Hans Zimmer was performed for two nights only, from 26-27 July 2024.
